The Observer, December 2, 2005
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 12
New group facilitates charitable donations
A new charitable program on campus, Case Charity Choice. seeks to help the less fortunate this year by collecting money. The idea seeks to involve busy college students in a charitable organization without taking time out of rather busy schedules. With 100-percent control of where the cont-ributions go, students are able to select their favorite charities without a minimum donation.
Case Charity Choice, chaired by Grover Gilmore, Dean of the School of Management and Lara Kalafatis, VP of University Relations, seeks to transform society individually and collectively by improving the human condition in University Circle, Greater Cleveland, North-east Ohio, and beyond, according to the informational website.
The goal is to achieve 100-percent participation from members of the Case community. However, success is not only measured in donations, but also in awareness.
The project is simple for Case students to become involved with. Students can contribute by logging onto the website at http://www.case.edu/finadmin/humres/charitychoice/main.htm and enter an amount in the Pledge Now box.
There are over 230 charities from which to choose, and participants have the ability to enter in a new charity if it isn't listed on the screen. The donations don't have minimum contribution requirements, and students can opt for a one-time donation or monthly donations taken directly out of their paychecks. Payroll de-ductions will begin in Jan. 1, 2006.
"I think the program is valid and possibly worth while if there are visible results that reflect a positive impact by case volunteers," senior Alex Pappas said.
Some students believe that the program is a convenient way to aid the charitable efforts in Cleveland. "I think it would be easier for college students to contribute to the community without having to take time out of their busy schedules to go help out," freshman Kristen Peterson said.
Freshman Katie Kirkpatrick, however, had criticism of the program. "In theory it's a great idea, but I'm a poor college student. I bet there's a ton of poor college students who can't afford much right now," Kirkpatrick said.
The program will run year round in its charitable efforts.
